55 Mph Is Asinine

September 15, 1986

WE JUST returned from a 2,500-mile trip through eight Eastern states on interstate highways. Ninety percent of the cars and trucks were driven at 58 to 65 mph, 2 percent at 55 mph or less and 8 percent were driven as if they were on the German Autobahn in 1983. There were no accidents. We saw 10 highway policemen. Five of them writing out citations, most likely to people in the 8 percent superspeed category.

We came to the conclusion that the 55-mph limit is asinine. Interstates were designed for safe speed above 55 mph, to drive without the tension of looking constantly in the rear mirror for the highway patrol, to move perishable goods and other commodities to the consumers in as short a time as possible and in time of war to move men and equipment in any direction needed on a priority basis.

Get your candidates to tell you where they stand on the speed limit. Once they are elected it's too late.